India created history on Sunday by clinching the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, defeating Nepal by seven wickets in a commanding final at Colombo’s P Sara Oval. After choosing to bowl first, India produced a disciplined effort that restricted Nepal to 114 for 5. The Indian bowlers kept firm control over the innings, allowing only a single boundary throughout Nepal’s 20 overs, reflecting the team’s sharp fielding and tight lines.
In response, India delivered a confident chase, reaching 117 for 3 in just 12 overs. Phula Saren anchored the innings superbly, remaining unbeaten on 44 and guiding her team to a historic victory with composure. This triumph capped off a strong run for India, which had already shown its dominance by beating Australia in the first semifinal.
Journey Through The Knockouts And Group Stage
India’s path to the title showcased consistency and belief, highlighted by excellent teamwork throughout the tournament. In the semifinals, India overcame Australia in a convincing fashion, advancing to the decider with momentum on their side. Nepal also entered the final with confidence after overcoming Pakistan in the second semifinal held a day earlier.
However, the final witnessed India emerge as the superior side both tactically and technically. Meanwhile, co-hosts Sri Lanka struggled during the competition and managed to secure just one win—from their match against the USA—out of five preliminary games. Despite the home advantage, they were unable to translate their opportunities into victories, reflecting the competitive nature of the tournament and the steady rise of other teams in the format.
Mehreen Ali Shines As The Tournament’s Standout Batter
Among the standout performers of the six-team event, Pakistan’s Mehreen Ali, a B3 (partially sighted) cricketer, delivered exceptional batting displays. She amassed more than 600 runs in the tournament, establishing herself as the most prolific scorer. Her performances included a record-breaking 230 off 78 balls against Sri Lanka—a remarkable feat in any format—followed by a commanding 133 against Australia.
Her contributions added significant excitement to the competition and highlighted the high level of talent present across the participating nations. While Pakistan did not reach the final, Mehreen’s achievements became one of the tournament’s defining narratives, emphasising the growing skill and visibility of blind women’s cricket. India’s victory in the championship marks a major milestone for the sport, underlining the team’s dominance and setting a strong foundation for future global competitions in this category.
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